By Andrei M. Barrantes

Despite joining an exclusive club of Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws to win the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball Rookie of the Year (ROY) at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City earlier today, December 11, Season 87 awardee Veejay Pre still has sights on bigger accomplishments for him and the squad.

“Masaya po kasi nakasama po ako du’n pero siguro mas masaya po kapag nakapag-champion po [or] makapasok po ng playoffs (I’m happy to join them but I would be much happier if we won the championship or made the playoffs),” he said in an interview with FEU Advocate.

Pre joins former Tamaraws Terrence Romeo, JR Cawaling, Arwind Santos, Leo Avenido, Mark Victoria, and Johnny Abarrientos as the Morayta-based cagers to hoist the ROY trophy after a 13.29-point and seven-rebound outing.

When asked about his aspirations heading into his sophomore season and beyond, the young Tamaraw held his hopes high on accomplishing another healthy and productive season.

“No pressure po sa’kin if may makuha po ako o wala. Gusto ko lang po matapos ‘yung season na healthy and walang injury, and mabuhos ko po lahat (I don’t feel any pressure if I follow this up with another trophy or not. I just want to finish the season healthy, with no injuries, and with me giving it my all),” he added.

FEU’s young core showed promise despite yet another season on the outside looking in with a 5-9 win-loss record good for sixth place. 

Pre is joined in the awards list by foreign student-athlete big man Mo Konateh, who shared the same aspirations as his fellow rookie in the coming seasons.

“I will try my best to bring my team far [in the playoffs], and hopefully we get [to] the finals next year,” he said.

Konateh bagged the AIA Best Rebounder and rounded out the Season 87 Mythical Five. 

(Photo by Zedrich Xylak Madrid/FEU Advocate)